Dear 12 year-old Self,
Dear Stefani,
Looking back, there is so much to say, but I know as a twelve-year-old it would be too overwhelming so I’ll keep it simple for now.
Be kinder to Mom and Dad.
When you wake up in the morning, don’t growl at them, or roll your eyes when they want you to eat a healthy breakfast. That’s the mood they will carry with them for the rest of the day. They will wonder what they could have done different, and worry that you’ll be upset at them yelling at you and not be able to focus at school. Be thankful that they care.
Dad is going to offer to take you on a hunting trip. Don’t turn it down. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like guns. It would be time well spent. It would have given you memories that down the road you wish you had.
Let Mom take you shopping. I know you hate it. I know you hate the fact that she is going to make you try stuff on over and over and over again. She just wants to spend time with you.
On road trips, learn to ignore your little brother. The two of you fighting in the back seat is enough to cause anyone to want to jump from the moving vehicle. The yelling, the hitting, the scratching… those are things you can’t take back. There will come a time when you and your brother get along, and you will regret fighting they way you do with him.
At the end of each day, no matter what, hug them. Tell them you love them. Thank them for putting up with you and your bratty attitude. Tell them that they are doing a great job, regardless of all the crap you throw their way.
There will be so many things you will wish you had done differently, but I promise you, if you do these things, you will be rich in love.
Love Always,
Stefani
